Exterior Paint: Ratings of Sources

Our AssessmentEditors review most brands of exterior paint at ConsumerReports.org, subjecting each product to extensive and ongoing lab tests. Paints are rated on how well they hold up over time in simulated weathering tests, approximating durability over three-year increments, as well as whether or not they resist cracking, color change, dirt and mildew. While several house paints are recommended here, only five earn Best Buy nods. Many paints amass several user reviews here as well.

Our AssessmentStains for exterior wooden decks are reviewed separately from exterior paints at ConsumerReports.org. Here editors analyze a handful of deck stains in three types of finishes -- clear, semi-transparent and solid. Testing here is competent, and much like the publication's report on exterior paints, wood stains are rated on how well they hold up over time, in one-year increments for periods up to three years. Two brands particularly stand out, earning the only Best Buy designations.

Our AssessmentRetailer site HomeDepot.com is a good place to find user reviews of exterior paints by Behr, which are sold exclusively by The Home Depot. Among them, Behr Premium Plus as well as its step-up line, Behr Premium Plus Ultra earn positive praise from lots of owners posting feedback here. Here Glidden Premium earns a decent amount of praise as well, though it doesn't amass as many user reviews as Behr paints.

Our AssessmentExterior paints by Valspar fare the best at retailer site Lowes.com, earning the lion's share of positive user reviews among other brands. Valspar DuraMax and Ultra, in particular, are owner favorites. Olympic Icon, which is sold exclusively through Lowes, earns a decent amount of praise across its many offerings of finish types. Products by Flood and Olympic stand out among deck stains.

Our AssessmentA handful of owners weigh in on Sherwin-Williams brand exterior paint at Sherwin-Williams.com. While most feedback here is positive, most exterior paints don't receive more than 10 reviews. Sherwin-Williams Duration stands out here, as it's the only paint to amass more than 30 user reviews while maintaining an overall score of 4 stars out of 5. Feedback from owners is sometimes cursory, but generally helpful and informative.

Our AssessmentThis Internet forum is a good source for opinions and advice from professional painters on many brands of exterior paints. Contractors who post here are eager to answer questions, and most are knowledgeable and experienced. Discussion is relevant, as new threads have been created very recently. Sherwin-Williams Duration is a top choice, judging from professional opinions here, though many note it's been getting pricier over the years.

Our AssessmentThere's a wealth of information at DIYChatroom.com on brands of exterior paint as well as the trade of painting. Here you can find lots of feedback and advice from a mix of professionals, do-it-yourself homeowners and paint retailers. There is much recent discussion on various brands of paints, as well as the benefits of buying premium-priced paints over cheaper offerings. Regarding exterior deck stains, products by Sikkens and Flood are frequently recommended.

Our AssessmentPainters engage in lengthy discussions at PaintTalk.com, making this Internet forum a great resource if you're looking for opinions from both professionals and do-it-yourselfers on the best brands of exterior paint. Contributors here seem to be experienced, knowledgeable and eager to help. Feedback is relevant, as new threads are created daily. You may need to use the search feature to find the exact information you need, however.

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.

These listings are administered, sorted and maintained by Google. For
information about these Google ads, go to adwords.google.com.

Google may place or recognize a unique "cookie" on your Web browser.
Information from this cookie may be used by Google to help provide
advertisers with more targeted advertising opportunities. For more
information about Google's privacy policy, including how to opt out, go
to www.google.com/ads/preferences.

By clicking on Sponsored Links you will leave ConsumerSearch.com. The web site you will go to is not endorsed by ConsumerSearch.